The New Moon and the Autumnal Equinox...

The New Moon and the Autumnal Equinox – September in the Red Tent

On a beautiful, mild, almost-Fall day, the land was full of light, the corn picked, and the women came together to celebrate. Two days after the New Moon and two days before the Autumnal Equinox – exquisite timing – we met at the farm to greet the new season and each other. The tent was especially beautiful and welcoming in that way that seems to happen when the harvest is almost done and the leaves begin their annual rainbow display. Thoughts turn to shorter days, the warmth of a fire, and all the gifts of Nature so abundant at this time of year.

Not the least of those gifts is a community of women who share a common bond: the wish to honor themselves and each other and the Divine Feminine in their own unique, diverse, and open ways. During our informal time, there was much laughter and listening as we shared our many stories…who we are, where we’re from, married, single, grandmothers, mothers, and daughters. Over delicious soups and teas, salad and bread – indeed the sideboard groaned – we took our time to relax into who we really are and who we really want to become. And we know that this time we give ourselves each month helps us to do that.

The energy is always special and as we enjoyed it, we gathered in circle. Ananda called in the four directions, then Danna, our priestess for the day, asked us to think about being lost, getting lost, feeling lost, and how we experience it in our lives. The stories ranged from getting lost while driving the car to feeling lost after the death of a loved one. We listened deeply and honored each other’s experiences and feelings. The circle was alight with the energies of compassion and caring, joy and sadness, trust and wisdom.

We left the Red Tent that day with feelings of peace, nurturing, and having been renewed in uncountable ways. All the women know that we are each wonderfully different and yet have those common bonds of sisterhood with which we can celebrate each other, enjoy a quiet, peaceful day together, and return home a little bit more ready to face the challenges of our daily lives. We hope that you will join us next month, on October 18^th, and take part in a day of sustenance, renewal, and celebration. Namaste.